Changes in Serum Potassium Response to Succinylcholine Following Trauma

Abstract

Serum potassium response to an intravenous dose of 100 mg of succinylcholine chloride was investigated in 59 patients with moderate to severe trauma including burns of more than 30%, bilateral amputations, multiple fractures, and widespread missile wounds. Each patient served as his own control prior to succinylcholine administration. Serum potassium determinations were made both before, and three minutes after, succinylcholine infusion. This group of patients did not show a significant rise in serum potassium level until approximately one week after injury, at which time there was noted a progressive rise in the potassium level following succinylcholine infusion. At approximately the third week, three patients with severe injuries showed a rise in serum potassium level which was capable of causing cardiac arrests. The above change did not occur if five minutes prior to succinylcholine administration, the patient was given a 6-mg, intravenous dose of tubocurarine chloride.